Patents Assigned to American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7946782
    Abstract: An angularly adjustable coupler is provided having first and second ends that are in an angularly adjustable mating engagement. The first end has a longitudinal axis and a base with an optionally concave and serrated surface, and can comprise a collared clamp for connecting to a pylon. The second end has a longitudinal axis and a base with an optionally convex and serrated surface, and can comprise a receiver for connecting to a pyramidal adapter. The concave portion of the first end and the convex portion of the second end are complementary to each other. A connector is provided to connect the first and second ends in a selected angular alignment about a fixed axis of rotation. The range of angular alignment of the first and second components spans approximately 50 degrees about the fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7766974
    Abstract: A keel is provided having a spring portion and a connecting portion. The spring portion can have a split section that is divided into two sections. Each section can have a top open channel formed therein. Each channel is compressible during compression of the keel. A variably adjustable compression member can be provided. The connecting portion is rigidly connected to a rigid center support. The top of the center support can have a threaded connector, which allows for vertically adjustable connection of an adjacent prosthetic component. A heel is also provided having a spring portion and a connecting portion. The spring portion can have a top open channel formed therein. The channel is compressible during compression of the heel. A variably adjustable compression member can be placed within the channel. A processor can be provided for controlling the amount of compression of each compression member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7763082
    Abstract: A keel is provided having a spring portion and a connecting portion. The spring portion can have a split section that is divided into two sections. Each section can have a top open channel formed therein. Each channel is compressible during compression of the keel. A compression member can be placed within each channel to control or limit the amount of keel spring compression. The connecting portion is rigidly connected to a rigid center support. The top of the center support can have a threaded connector, which allows for vertically adjustable connection of an adjacent prosthetic component. A heel is also provided having a spring portion and a connecting portion. The spring portion can have a top open channel formed therein. The channel is compressible during compression of the heel. A compression member can be placed within the channel to control or limit the amount of heel spring compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7267695
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a four hole offset alignment device that is adjustable in the lateral or medial direction and the anterior or posterior direction at a single interface between the two pieces of the present invention. A first piece is provided having a body with a central axis. A positioner is on the first side of the body. A dome with a pyramid is on the second side of the body. A second piece is provided having a central axis and a flange. Four walls upstand from the flange to define an opening. The positioner can be selectably received within the opening while the central axis of the first piece remains parallel to the central axis of the second piece. The pieces are lockable in place with respect to each other at the selected offset alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7189264
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system with modular components for forming a prosthetic limb, wherein the effective length of the limb is adjustable to accommodate changing needs of a particular person. Several modular components are provided, including sleeve and spacer modules. Each sleeve module has a body with a selected length and has two opposed ends that are internally threaded. Each spacer module has a body of a selected length and has two opposed ends that are externally threaded. The modules are usable with existing prosthetic components have respective mating ends. The modules are twistable with respect to each other, which enables the effective length of the prosthetic limb to be adjusted. Further, the modules can be interchanged with modules having a different length, which enables large adjustment capabilities. A fully custom fitted prosthetic limb is therefore achievable without the need to custom make a single component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7097666
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an angularly adjustable coupler. The first and second ends are in an angularly adjustable mating engagement. The first end has a longitudinal axis and a base with an optionally concave and serrated surface, and can comprise a collared clamp for connecting to a pylon. The second end has a longitudinal axis and a base with an optionally convex and serrated surface, and can comprise a receiver for connecting to a pyramidal adapter. The concave portion of the first end and the convex portion of the second end are complementary to each other. A connector is provided to connect the first and second ends in a selected angular alignment about a fixed axis of rotation. The range of angular alignment of the first and second components spans approximately 50 degrees about the fixed axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 7090700
    Abstract: An offset alignment device with a longitudinal axis is provided that can offset two prosthetic components a selected distance along an alignment axis that is selectably oriented in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and can also adjust the distance between the two prosthetic components in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The present invention comprises first and second members. The first member has a channel and the second member has a bar for being adjustably connected to the channel along the alignment axis. A set screw can be through a hole in the wall of the channel in a direction generally perpendicular to the alignment axis to contact the bar and hold it stationary within the channel. One or both of the first and second members can be rotatably connected to one or both of the first and second prosthetic components, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Curtis
  • Patent number: 6981992
    Abstract: The present invention has three arcuate prongs that are connected to a hub. The hub has a first end and a second end, and at least one end of the hub is circumferentially continuous. The hub second end is threaded. In one embodiment, the hub has a threaded outer surface. In another embodiment, the hub has a threaded inner surface. The prongs are manipulable, or bendable. Stress developed during manipulation of the prongs does not distort the threaded surface of the hub second end. An additional component can be threadably connected to the threaded surface of the hub second end. The circumferentially continuous portion of the hub acts as a barrier that prevents any excess laminate from contacting and bonding with the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Curtis
  • Patent number: D620594
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: American Prosthetic Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Curtis